UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder takes about her vision and accomplishments for the university during an editorial board meeting at the Citizen-Times. Ponder announced her retirement this week.

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Anne Ponder was hired by UNCA, but she'll retire this year from UNC Asheville.

Melding the university with the Asheville community was among Ponder's top priorities over her nearly 10 years as the school's chancellor, and that meant never having to say "UNCA," but always saying "UNC Asheville."

Ponder announced Thursday she plans to retire from university service effective July 31. She will have served in the role for nine years, longer than any UNC Asheville chancellor since the university's first, William Highsmith. ...